Wetting of (0001) α-Al2O3 single crystals by molten Al

The wetting behavior of (0 0 0 1) alpha-Al-2 O-3 by molten Al was studied over a wide temperature range between 700 and 1500 degreesC. The increase in the contact angle with time at temperatures lower than 1200 degreesC is attributed to the surface structural reconstruction of the (0 0 0 1) alpha-Al2O3. High-temperature annealing of the substrate does not have a significant influence on the wettability. (C) 2002 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.